Manchester International Festival – Unsigned Bands Sought

Unsigned bands sought for support at Manchester International Festival’s Unknown Pleasures series June 29 – July 15 2007

Manchester International Festival 2007 will showcase the most exciting up-and-coming international and British musical talent as part of its new music series – Unknown Pleasures.
The series will accommodate an eclectic mix of musical styles and genres from electro pop to rock and folk. A diversity of solo artists and bands already confirmed include The Noisettes, Findlay Brown, Alberta Cross, Wombats, Foals, Nina Nastasia and Jim White and Adjagas – who will all perform at the Manchester Academy across eight nights in July, culminating in a major all-day 5,000 capacity outdoor free concert at The Quays on Sunday 15 July featuring The Gossip, The Horrors and The Whip.

Unknown Pleasures is a celebration of the up-and-coming stars on the music scene, representing the Festival’s commitment to honouring Manchester’s rich musical heritage whilst simultaneously looking to develop and discover new talent.

Festival organisers are also seeking unsigned bands aged over 18 who are based in the north west, to support the headline acts at the Academy and The Quays. Bands, who think they have what it takes to entertain a knowledgeable music crowd, need to visit www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com to fill in an application from Tuesday 1 May.

The BBC Manchester website is also working with us to identify acts, which will then go on to perform with some great new names. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/entertainment to find out more. This is your chance to be part of something unique and get your music heard.
Festival Director Alex Poots, said: “We have developed Unknown Pleasures to highlight the wealth of talent currently enlivening the music scene. This series of gigs will be an opportunity for audiences to see the best new talent – both home-grown, and international – coming together to perform at the Academy.

The series is curated by Tom Baker at Eat Your Own Ears. He said: “Unknown Pleasures has been a challenge to book as there are so many good and exciting new artists around at the moment. I had to choose acts that show a cross section of new music from acoustic folk, to new indie guitar bands to more poppy acts.

“I’m excited about finding new upcoming local artists to support on some of these gigs as well, that’s the next challenge – perhaps we can find the next Joy Division!”

Tickets are on sale to members from Tuesday 24 April and to the general public on Tuesday 1 May for Unknown Pleasures. Tickets for Unknown Pleasures at the Quays are free and available through a ballot, by contacting Quaytickets on 0870 111 2000 from 1 May or visiting www.quaytickets.com